Up to four million people will be seeking to book COVID bivalent booster injections this week, it has been announced.

Thousands of practices are involved in the last COVID vaccination drive, launched after new vaccines were approved able to tackle the original COVID virus and this year’s omicron strain.

The Government says it hopes to vaccinate 26 million people by the New Year – with eligibility being extended to all those over the age of 50. This week people over 70 together with vulnerable patients will receive invitations to book a booster – while teams are due to begin work today in care homes. Some 3,100 locations, including practices and pharmacies, are offering the boosters.

NHS Director of Vaccinations and Screening Steve Russell said: “The NHS will begin vaccinating those who are most vulnerable to COVID from next week, with the autumn campaign kicking off in care homes from Monday and four million more people will be invited to come forward later in the week. NHS staff are gearing up once again to deliver these vaccines at speed rolling out jabs at more than 3,000 sites across England in order to provide the maximum protection ahead of winter”.